Stalled project worries communities in Ntchisi

Communities from Group Village Head (GVH) Kachipapa in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chikho in Ntchisi have expressed concern over delays in the completion of a health centre whose construction started in 2013.

Government, through the then vice-president Khumbo Kachali, on September 14 2013, laid a foundation stone for the facility which was to be called Chafumbwa Health Centre.

The facility was expected to ease mobility and other challenges communities face when accessing health services at other facilities such as Mzandu and Kangolwa which are 15 and 14 kilometres away, respectively.

GVH Kachipapa speaking on Monday during an interface meeting the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice Trust) organised between the communities and officials from the district council and the district’s hospital to update the communities on why the project had stalled, wondered why people in the area are “being punished”.

“When Khumbo Kachali came here in September 2013 to lay a foundation stone and the subsequent commencement of the work, we rejoiced and women ululated because we knew we would soon say goodbye to our agonies,” said Kachipapa.

But he said this joy was short-lived because the project stopped in March 2014.

In response to the query, both District Commissioner Malango Botomani and Principal Hospital Administrator, John Bosco Baluti said the project remains part of government’s initiative to bringing health services closer to the people.

“People of this area have been denied their health right for so long due to delays in completing this health centre. But let me also say that any time the work will resume as World Bank and World Health Organisation have shown interest to support it,” assured Baluti.